While the industry acknowledges the need for robust security measures, research from PSA Certified suggests that investment and best practices are struggling to keep pace with AI’s rapid growth.
The survey of 1,260 global technology decision-makers revealed that two-thirds (68%) are concerned that the speed of AI advancements is outstripping the industry’s ability to safeguard products, devices, and services. This apprehension is driving a surge in edge computing adoption, with 85% believing that security concerns will push more AI use cases to the edge.
Edge computing – which processes data locally on devices instead of relying on centralised cloud systems – offers inherent advantages in efficiency, security, and privacy. However, this shift to the edge necessitates a heightened focus on device security.
“There is an important interconnect between AI and security: one doesn’t scale without the other,” cautions David Maidment, Senior Director, Market Strategy at Arm (a PSA Certified co-founder). “While AI is a huge opportunity, its proliferation also offers that same opportunity to bad actors.”
Despite recognising security as paramount, a significant disconnect exists between awareness and action. Only half (50%) of those surveyed believe their current security investments are sufficient. Furthermore, essential security practices, such as independent certifications and threat modelling, are being neglected by a substantial portion of respondents.
“It’s more imperative than ever that those in the connected device ecosystem don’t skip best practice security in the hunt for AI features,” emphasises Maidment. “The entire value chain needs to take collective responsibility and ensure that consumer trust in AI driven services is maintained.”
The report highlights the need for a holistic approach to security, embedded throughout the entire AI lifecycle, from device deployment to the management of AI models operating at the edge. This proactive approach, incorporating security-by-design principles, is deemed essential to building consumer trust and mitigating the escalating security risks.
Despite the concerns, a sense of optimism prevails within the industry. A majority (67%) of decisionmakers believe their organisations are equipped to handle the potential security risks associated with AI’s surge. There is a growing recognition of the need to prioritise security investment – 46% are focused on bolstering security, compared to 39% prioritising AI readiness.
“Those looking to unleash the full potential of AI must ensure they are taking the right steps to mitigate potential security risks,” says Maidment. “As stakeholders in the connected device ecosystem rapidly embrace a new set of AI-enabled use cases, it’s crucial that they do not simply forge ahead with AI regardless of security implications.”
(Photo by Braden Collum)
See also: The AI revolution: Reshaping data centres and the digital landscape
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